Jack W. Robilette, age 91, formerly of Monroe, Wisconsin, died on November 22, 2009 at Fairfax Hospital in Fairfax, Virginia, due to age related causes. Born in Chicago, IL on April 26, 1918, he graduated from Parker High School in Chicago in 1937, attended the Woodrow Wilson Junior College, and then went to work for Republic Aircraft in Detroit, Michigan from 1939 to 1941. In 1941 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. From August 1942 until January 1943, he was among those stranded on the island of Guadalcanal in the South Pacific, for which he earned a presidential citation with star. Afterward, he was assigned to a troop ship for the transport of wounded soldiers, and became part of the second wave that landed at Omaha Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944.
In 1948 he graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry and the following year began private practice in Monroe. Dr. Robilette joined the Monroe Clinic in 1968 where he remained as an optometrist until retiring in 1989. In 2001 Jack and his wife, Purnis, moved to the Washington D.C. area to be near their son.
Dr. Robilette was a member of St. Victor Catholic Church, Monroe Country Club, Monroe Lions Club, American Legion Post #84, and Monroe V.F.W. Post #2312.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Purnis J. Robilette; and a son, John Robilette, who is a concert pianist.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 30, 2009, at St. Victor Catholic Church, Monroe, with Father Michael Klarer officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Monroe, with military rites accorded by Monroe American Legion Post #84. Visitation will be at the NEWCOMER FUNERAL HOME, Monroe, on Sunday, Nov. 29, from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. with a rosary service at 6 p.m. A memorial fund will be established in Jack's name for Catholic Charities, 702 South High Point Rd., Madison, WI 53719.
www.newcomerfuneralhome.net
In 1948 he graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry and the following year began private practice in Monroe. Dr. Robilette joined the Monroe Clinic in 1968 where he remained as an optometrist until retiring in 1989. In 2001 Jack and his wife, Purnis, moved to the Washington D.C. area to be near their son.
Dr. Robilette was a member of St. Victor Catholic Church, Monroe Country Club, Monroe Lions Club, American Legion Post #84, and Monroe V.F.W. Post #2312.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Purnis J. Robilette; and a son, John Robilette, who is a concert pianist.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 30, 2009, at St. Victor Catholic Church, Monroe, with Father Michael Klarer officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Monroe, with military rites accorded by Monroe American Legion Post #84. Visitation will be at the NEWCOMER FUNERAL HOME, Monroe, on Sunday, Nov. 29, from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. with a rosary service at 6 p.m. A memorial fund will be established in Jack's name for Catholic Charities, 702 South High Point Rd., Madison, WI 53719.
www.newcomerfuneralhome.net